December 1, 2015

Interview Minutiae (that could gain you The Offer, or not!)

"The Devil IS in the Details"

We’ve all heard “The devil is in the details” and never more true than with a face-to-face job interview. I can author a separate article on how to dress, colors, earring size, mustaches, beards, perfume/cologne, necklaces, makeup, jewelry, etc.
 
Let’s focus on the moment that you pull into the parking lot of the building where you are about to interview...

Realize the interview “starts” when you open your car door - someone is looking out a window...your future boss?!

1. Button jacket. Men – two button jacket, not three, not double-breasted. Keep it buttoned until you return to your car. Always the professional image. 
2. LEAVE CELL PHONE IN THE CAR!!! (Unless there is a family emergency – Dad is in the hospital and you could get a call – Just tell the interviewer early, when timing is right! No, sorry – I can hear that phone vibrate! Something more important than this?
3. Go directly to restroom; check outfit; check smile; drop heartbeat.
4. Stand in the lobby for a couple of minutes – attitude check!
5. Do not check-in with Receptionist more than 10 minutes early unless they tell you that you will be completing an Application, and then be 30 minutes early.
6. Try not to sit while waiting in the lobby; first impression should be eye-to-eye.
7. Get a business card (when departing) from Rec’p / Secretaries / Admins (or have them write their name and email on the back of anyone’s card)...Why?  “So I can send you a Thank You.” 94% of execs ask their Admin their opinion of YOU – make it a good one!
8. No caffeinated, or dairy products before, or during the interview! I have reasons!
9. Good handshake, smile and eye contact; let interviewer withdraw hand first!
10. Ask if you can move the chair!  SIT ON FRONT HALF OF CHAIR!! Jacket buttoned (preferably a 2-button jacket; never button the bottom button). You will now be virtually eye-to-eye. And please put the chair back at the conclusion of the interview!
11. When asked, request bottled water, but if not available, get a glass of water, no ice.
12. Nothing goes on the interviewer’s desk at all, unless you’re on “neutral turf,”e.g. the conference room, the lunch room, at a restaurant, etc.
13. “May I take some notes?” A very few get a bit paranoid when another starts writing.
14. This interview is not about you, personally; it’s ALL about the interviewer, their department, their problems/challenges and their people and your abilities to provide solutions! Shocking, I know, but VERY TRUE! Interviewers consciously don't get it either.
15. Use 4 – 6 “follow-thrus” throughout the interview. (Basically, ending your statement/solutions with something like “Does that sound like a possible solution?”)
16.  THIS IS A PERFORMANCE (if you appear rehearsed – you’re done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
17. Answers should be short, articulate, truthful…don’t volunteer ANY information.

• Be truthful, but not to a fault. Do not become “Chatty Cathy!” If the interviewer goes "Chatty Cathy" find a moment and ask your next question - back on track.
• Use a “door closer” at the end of most answers, if appropriate. Basically asking for confirmation that you provided enough information and they liked your response.
• Have your questions ready and BEGIN TO ASK THEM EARLY, not at the end, as usual! (remember, they’ll be different for each based upon job titles, e.g. interviewing with your future boss versus an HR Generalist).
• Slow down your speech just a little bit; you’ll be more articulate.
• Send all 'Thank You' emails within 24 hours!!! It is a real rarity that a handwritten card is best. You will know.

CONFIDENCE, ATTITUDE AND VERBAL SKILLS are always being measured subconsciously. Please remember that a horse race can be won by a millimeter and every other horse lost; the Super Bowl won by one point and the other 31 NFL teams are virtually the same – they didn’t win the Super Bowl. Usage of all of the above can win you The Offer and all others look elsewhere, OR you do not use all of the above all of time and you keep wondering why you get that email “We regret to inform you that we have found a more qualified candidate, however we will keep your resume on file for six months. Good luck.”
 
If something is easy and more productive, I’m all for it…no matter what it is. Here is a way to separate yourself and earn The Offer. You’ll never know if you won the race by one millimeter, or thirty lengths, but WHO CARES? YOU have The Offer and everyone else does not. Why chance it? Very often the hiring decision boils down to the smallest of things.
 
THESE ITEMS MUST BECOME A PART OF YOUR DNA – THEY ARE NOT “OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT!”
 
Now, is this their best Offer? Doubtful. Food for thought and another article!  The devil is definitely in the details!! Your thoughts?